Harley or Metric ? HELP! open minds
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Harley or Metric ? HELP! open minds
I have spent a massive ammount of time researching my potential new scoot ( '08 FLHTC ). I know these bikes run hot and I know it's gunna take another 1K to resolve it correctly. IMO a move the MoCo should have fixed. One thing that is really scareing the crap out of me is the problems with crankshaft run out and slipping out of phase that I have been reading all about. And that is the real reason for the IDS on the '08 models to isolate the crank from excessive tortional vibrations.
I have seen this on many other H-D forums and I am very concearned that this is too common for me to roll the dice when spending 20K on a new bike. I grew up Harley all the way and love my 05 sporty, but damn I just want to buy a bike once and have it for the rest of my life without dumping money into it all the time. I like the TC88 bikes too but I know they eat cams and I really don't feel like dealing with it either. I need some advice on all this stuff guys beacuse it is getting harder and harder to ignore the shortcommings ( technologically ) of HD and these "jap-crap immitation" metric cruisers are starting to look more reliable and a better bang for the buck. - Man that hurt to say that! I do not want to cross over to the "other side" but I embrace technology and quality but there is something about Harleys that have charm and life to them. But for 1/2 the price of a HD you can buy a top of the line metric touring bike that has more stuff on it. Having said all that would you feel "cheap" on a metric next to a HD at a light? UUUUGGGGGGG![:@]
I have seen this on many other H-D forums and I am very concearned that this is too common for me to roll the dice when spending 20K on a new bike. I grew up Harley all the way and love my 05 sporty, but damn I just want to buy a bike once and have it for the rest of my life without dumping money into it all the time. I like the TC88 bikes too but I know they eat cams and I really don't feel like dealing with it either. I need some advice on all this stuff guys beacuse it is getting harder and harder to ignore the shortcommings ( technologically ) of HD and these "jap-crap immitation" metric cruisers are starting to look more reliable and a better bang for the buck. - Man that hurt to say that! I do not want to cross over to the "other side" but I embrace technology and quality but there is something about Harleys that have charm and life to them. But for 1/2 the price of a HD you can buy a top of the line metric touring bike that has more stuff on it. Having said all that would you feel "cheap" on a metric next to a HD at a light? UUUUGGGGGGG![:@]
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
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RE: Harley or Metric ? HELP! open minds
I have riden both and don't feel uncomfortable riding a metric. I have moved both directions now. The only reason I came back to Harley is I like the touring bikes they offer. I like to customize too, you will NOT find as many customizing parts on metric as harley has.
Now if I was going for more of a HD rocker style bike I would go back to a Victory. My opinion they make a very good riding and powerful bike with only adding pipes. I rode a 8ball for 2 years and was very happy with that bike. the only reason I changed is because I plan on doing some more long distance riding.
But they need some help in the touring bike section for sure.
Now if I was going for more of a HD rocker style bike I would go back to a Victory. My opinion they make a very good riding and powerful bike with only adding pipes. I rode a 8ball for 2 years and was very happy with that bike. the only reason I changed is because I plan on doing some more long distance riding.
But they need some help in the touring bike section for sure.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 818
Likes: 1
From: S/W Ohio
RE: Harley or Metric ? HELP! open minds
Billy Boy, you're going to have to answer that one yourself. Don't accept everything you read on forums as actual issues. Most are nothing more than one experience or opinion and everybody ( including me) has one. I own an 08 EGC and have no heat problem that I'm aware of at least nothing is burning or red and I'm not spending a dime to fix it either.
If you look you will find terrible issues with any bike. Goldwings are great bikes and when I was preparing to buy a bike last August I looked at them. Do a search and you will be horrified to learn those "alloy frames are cracking" and Honda sends them to "local welder" to weld up, and "you can't see the cracks" until you take all that plastic offetc. etc. etc. They all have issues or alleged issues.
Decide what kind of riding you will mostly do and chose a class of bike. RIDEthemand decide.
I chose my HDfor looks, feel, sound, customizationoptions, dealer availability, and reputation, and it doesn't make my but look big.
Quit riding that fence andget on a bike,
Jim
If you look you will find terrible issues with any bike. Goldwings are great bikes and when I was preparing to buy a bike last August I looked at them. Do a search and you will be horrified to learn those "alloy frames are cracking" and Honda sends them to "local welder" to weld up, and "you can't see the cracks" until you take all that plastic offetc. etc. etc. They all have issues or alleged issues.
Decide what kind of riding you will mostly do and chose a class of bike. RIDEthemand decide.
I chose my HDfor looks, feel, sound, customizationoptions, dealer availability, and reputation, and it doesn't make my but look big.
Quit riding that fence andget on a bike,
Jim
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,500
Likes: 332
From: Blue Grass (KY)
RE: Harley or Metric ? HELP! open minds
some here ( maybe most) will disagree with me, but I buy motorcycles for ME, not what someone else likes or wants....I like all types of Motorcycles, metric, Harley, Victory.....I own a 07 EG Classic and a 07 Gold Wing CSC Trike, I paid for both and they are mine....buy what every does it for you....and your correct, there are a lot of good deals out there, buy what YOU like, what makes you feel good going down the highway.....be it metric or HD.....why would you care how I feel about what you ride???? I don't....if it makes you happy, then I'm happy for you....
The bike doesn't make the man, you can own 20 Harleys, won't change who you are or what kind of person you are.....
Be true to yourself.
The bike doesn't make the man, you can own 20 Harleys, won't change who you are or what kind of person you are.....
Be true to yourself.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 769
Likes: 8
From: Brooksdale, ON
RE: Harley or Metric ? HELP! open minds
From my riding pleasures of working at a dealership I have had the chance to ride more models of bikes then most people would dream of. If you can ride them all you will feel a difference in them all. Personally I do not like the feel of most metric bikes as to me they feel loose and mushy if that makes sense. The harley feel like all the parts of the bike are firmly attached while lots of parts on the metric bikes are rubber mounted and kinda flop around, tanks, fenders, that type of stuff. I also notice the fact that some metrics still use drum brakes, chain drives, ect. In my opion these are cheap way of producing a bike. Yes HD does have some off the wall cheap things as well like an ancient design motor but that is another story.....
Banned
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,889
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RE: Harley or Metric ? HELP! open minds
With all your terror and worrying and hand-wringing I suggest you get a metric.
Oh,and you are a troll!
PLEASE DON'T FEED THE TROLLS![>:]
Oh,and you are a troll!
PLEASE DON'T FEED THE TROLLS![>:]
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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RE: Harley or Metric ? HELP! open minds
"But for 1/2 the price of a HD you can buy a top of the line metric touring bike that has more stuff on it."
Aaaaaa show me 1 (one) I'll wait.
Aaaaaa show me 1 (one) I'll wait.
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 507
Likes: 1
From: Torrance, CA.
RE: Harley or Metric ? HELP! open minds
I have a friend that was the same as you. He bought a metric because he felt that he got more bike for the money.
Every time he saw and heard a Harley he knew that he was not in the same league. He sold it and is now happily riding his money suckin', slow, low tech Harley.......
Every time he saw and heard a Harley he knew that he was not in the same league. He sold it and is now happily riding his money suckin', slow, low tech Harley.......